Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills and Training, Gabrielle Williams, has announced the Government will change the law to increase the minimum number of elected staff and student representatives on university councils to at least two staff and two students.
“University is a formative time in a student’s life where they choose a path to learn something new and build a better future for themselves and their community,” said Minister Williams.
“The students and staff who make our world-class universities what they are should have a say in how they are run.”
The move implements a key recommendation of the Parliamentary Inquiry into enhancing Victorian university governance delivered by the Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee.
“The committee heard that universities should serve the community in a more meaningful way. Students and staff should have a seat at the table. These reforms deliver on that,” said Committee Chair, Alison Marchant.
The Government also supports the Expert Council on University Governance principles and, in line with the inquiry report, will work with universities to improve public understanding of appointment processes.
“In doing so, we will ensure consistency with the Victorian Government’s Appointment and Remuneration Guidelines and consider the perspectives and representation of Victoria’s First Peoples,” said Minister Williams.
“The Government supports the committee’s findings on transparency. That means publishing council agendas and meeting outcomes. It means more detail on consultancy spending and remuneration.”
In finalising its formal response to the report in the next term, Victoria will coordinate with the Commonwealth’s regulation of higher education to avoid unnecessary duplication, she said.
In the next term, the Government will introduce legislation into Parliament to amend the university enabling Acts. Additionally, Victoria encourages universities to adopt a proactive approach to elevate staff and student voices, said Minister Williams.
The final Parliamentary Inquiry report can be accessed here.
